Author:
Xia Ningbo,Ji Nuo,Li Longjiao,Huang Yuan,Yang Congshan,Guo Xuefang,Guo Qinghong,Shen Bang,Xiao Lihua,Feng Yaoyu
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Toxoplasma gondii infects almost all warm-blooded animals, and cats play a crucial role in the epidemiology of T. gondii as the definitive host. Despite sporadic reports on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in domestic cats, systematic surveys are lacking and some regions remain in China uninvestigated.
Methods
A total of 1,521 serum samples were collected from 10 regions of China and analyzed by antibodies against T. gondii by ELISA with the purpose of identifying risk factors of T. gondii infection in cats across China and obtaining seroprevalence data from some previously uninvestigated areas.
Results
Antibodies to T. gondii were detected in 62 of 1,478 (4.2%) urban pet cats and in 9 of 43 (20.9%) stray cats. Among the regions examined, the prevalence was 13% in Sichuan, 12.8% in Chongqing, 6.4% in Hunan, 2.5% in Hubei and 0.9% in Guangdong. Additionally, this is the first report on the seroprevalence of T. gondii in urban pet cats from Qinghai (6.2%), Anhui (3.1%), Jiangxi (2.5%), Shaanxi (2.4%) and Ningxia (1.6%). The age and lifestyle (stray or pet) of cats were identified as the risk factors for seropositivity by multivariate analysis of the data.
Conclusions
Our findings improve our understanding of seroprevalence and risk factors of T. gondii infection in cats across China, and provide useful information for the formulating of preventive and control measures against this widespread zoonotic parasite.
Funder
Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province
China Postdoctoral Science Foundation
National Natural Science Foundation of China
111 Project
Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture Project
Innovation Team Project of Guangdong University
Publisher
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Subject
General Veterinary,General Medicine
Cited by
4 articles.
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